Are smartwatches slowly poisoning us? Apple, Samsung slapped with lawsuits for use of toxic chemicals

Apple faces a class-action lawsuit alleging that its smartwatch bands contain excessive levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals." These substances, valued for their resistance to water, sweat, and oil, are notoriously slow to break down and pose health risks, including increased cancer risk, when exposure exceeds certain levels.

According to an article by The Register website, the lawsuit targets three specific Apple Watch bands: the Sport Band, Ocean Band, and Nike Sport Band, all of which are made with fluoroelastomers, a polymeric form of PFAS. Plaintiffs argue that despite Apple’s 2022 pledge to phase out PFAS, the company knowingly continued to sell products containing these harmful substances without adequately warning consumers, drawing their claim on a study conducted by scientists from the US university of Notre Dame. 

The suit claims Apple misled its health-conscious customers by hiding the presence of PFAS at the point of purchase and falsely marketing the bands as safe. The article recalls that the chemicals have also been linked to increased risk of cancer, immune system suppression, and possible harms to unborn children in the womb.

Additionally, the lawsuit criticizes Apple for not switching to safer wristband materials, alleging that doing so would have undermined its competitive advantage over companies that do not promise health or environmental sustainability. The plaintiffs are seeking damages, penalties, and an injunction to prevent Apple from falsely marketing its products.

The article reported Apple's response to the accusations, saying that "Apple Watch bands are safe for users to wear," citing its rigorous in-house and independent laboratory testing. Apple also highlighted the challenges of eliminating PFAS entirely from its products and processes. In 2022, the company announced plans to phase out PFAS thoughtfully to avoid harmful substitutions and focus on reducing their environmental impact. Apple noted that identifying and qualifying non-PFAS alternatives that meet performance standards requires time.

This lawsuit mirrors a similar class-action case filed against Samsung, as the article recalls that the Korean tech titan also faces allegations of their Galaxy Watch bands containing harmful PFAS. Both cases reflect growing consumer and regulatory scrutiny over the use of PFAS in consumer products, as well as heightened awareness of the potential health and environmental risks associated with these chemicals.

By Nazrin Sadigova